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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Civil Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the United States
1,161 Civil Engineering Degrees Awarded
$68,400 Avg Early-Career Salary

Civil Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their civil engineering programs.

College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best civil engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Civil Engineering in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Civil Engineering

1

Iowa State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best civil engineering schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 147 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Iowa State University earn around $76,006 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at Iowa State University

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $65,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,103 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

William Jewell College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #3. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Liberty. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 10 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at William Jewell College in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of William Jewell College earn a median of $48,588 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,950 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for William Jewell College

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for a strong civil engineering program will find one at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $74,472 early in their careers. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Kansas

5

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $65,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

6

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 97 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $70,542 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

7

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 93 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $69,566. Students borrow a median of $26,828 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Missouri Columbia

8

Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. About 64% of students finish within six years. Missouri University Of Science And Technology awarded about 167 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn around $76,656 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

9
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #9 among the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Iowa earn around $70,313 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Iowa

10

Kansas State University earned the #10 position for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $69,300. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University

11

North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best civil engineering schools. This large public university is located in the city of Fargo. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 60 civil engineering degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $72,729 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. See the full civil engineering program report for North Dakota State University Main Campus

12

University Of North Dakota ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. University Of North Dakota awarded about 50 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $73,260. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,600 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of North Dakota

13

Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #13 for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 12 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,586. Get the full civil engineering details for Saint Louis University Main Campus

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #14 position for civil engineering this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 56 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $65,175 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,044 to complete this degree. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

15

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #15 among the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 21 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $69,861 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full civil engineering program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

16

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #16 spot for civil engineering this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $70,686 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $24,424 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

17

South Dakota State University came in at #17 for civil engineering this year. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $69,129 in their early career. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at South Dakota State University

18
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College placed #18 among the best civil engineering schools. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dordt College awarded about 12 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,812. Read more about the civil engineering program at Dordt College

19

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #19 spot for civil engineering this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Rapid City. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $71,766 in their early career. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology graduates carry a median of $27,388 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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